School Direct Intitial Teacher Training-

Information for Schools

The School Direct model is a school-led teacher training route, where participating schools recruit and select their own trainees with the expectation that they will then go on to work within the school or Alliance of schools in which they were trained, although there is no absolute guarantee of employment. The LTSA provides a service to schools wishing to recruit trainees through two School Direct routes:

The School Direct (salaried) route is an employment based route into teaching for high quality graduates with three or more years’ career experience. The trainee is employed as an unqualified teacher by a school. The NCTL provides funding, which the school can use to subsidise the trainee’s salary and/or training.

The School Direct (non-salaried) Training option is for high calibre graduates who wish to gain a classic PGCE qualification. Trainees pay a tuition fee to the accredited teacher training provider and are eligible for bursaries of up to £20,000.

The LTSA works in partnership with Roehampton University to provide School Direct ITT in Lambeth. Wyvil Primary School is the lead primary school for school direct in the LTSA, and Lilian Baylis is the lead secondary. The LTSA provides the following services for schools wishing to offer School Direct places;

Recruitment of School Direct trainees, with the support of senior leaders from participating schools

Training for School Direct mentors

Bespoke Professional Development sessions delivered by experienced teachers, who are often SLEs. This programme provides opportunities for trainees to observe outstanding teaching and learning across a variety of settings and develop networks of local peer support

Greater employment opportunities for trainees once qualified

Administration including management of finances and funding

A first point of contact for aspiring trainees

Schools interested in offering School Direct places should contact schooldirect@ltsa.org.uk to register their interest.